Martina Navratilova's 1987 match-played Wimbledon racquet

This is the ultimate sports memorabilia collectors set. Swiss made Avantist Legend Series watch and the actual match-played racquet used by Martina to win the 1987 Wimbledon finals.

• Avantist Legend Series 1987 Wimbledon Edition

• The 'Camouflaged' Racquet used by Martina in the 1987 final

Included in this set is the infamous 'camouflaged' racquet used by Martina to defeat Steffi Graf in the 1987 Wimbledon final.

Martina used a camouflaged Dunlop MAX200G (as used by Steffi Graf at the time, who had just defeated Martina weeks earlier in the French Open). Martina was having trouble getting comfortable with her sponsor Yonex's new graphite racquet and seeing how well Steffi was playing, she decided to spray paint a Dunlop racquet black and stick a Yonex logo on it for their rematch in Wimbledon.  The camouflage didn’t quite work, as everybody recognized the familiar shape of the frame.

This rematch between Navratilova and newcomer Graf saw Navratilova triumphant and sparked a winning streak that would go on to encompass the rare “triple crown” (Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles wins) at the subsequent US Open.

It was a most significant win not only in historical terms, but also in the light of Steffi Graf’s emergence at the highest level: both had played an epic three setter at the Roland Garros final, one month prior, with the German prevailing on the Parisian clay courts; on the grass, though, Navratilova’s attacking game, shot making variety and extensive experience proved too much. Steffi’s speed around the court and powerful serve/forehand combination kept Martina busy until the very end of the first set, but she insisted on assaulting the net exposing her young opponent’s weaker wing (the backhand) and the second set was easier. At 30 years old, it would be Navratilova’s 16th Grand Slam title.

“Don’t know how many of these you have to win to be considered the greatest player of all time… but the closer I get, the more it really doesn’t matter. There are great players in different eras and I’m one of the greatest in mine”, underlined Martina when the question whether she should be considered the best of all times arose yet again.

A propos, Steffi asked her “How many more Wimbledons do you want?”, as both players were waiting for the Duchess of Kent to present the trophies. “Nine is my lucky number”, answered the champion – who would effectively win a ninth and final title at the All England Club three years later. Invigorated after 229 days without a tournament triumph. Navratilova would also beat her young German rival in the final of the US Open; that year, Graf’s only two defeats were inflicted by Martina in Major finals.

This is an incredibly rare and irreplaceable part of sports history. Racquet is mounted on a display case with plaque & certificate of authenticity.